How to Turn a Slope or Hill into a Beautiful Garden Spot

Many people have slopes in there yards that seem to be too steep to do anything with. However, there are methods that can be applied to turn those slopes into beautiful flower or foliage beds. Here are some tips to get you started planting on the slopes in your yard.

If you use a slope well, it can add beauty to your outdoor environment. But, if you do not plan well, it can be a maintenance nightmare. There are simple ways to use the slopes in your yard. But, there are also more elaborate methods to turn these parts of your yard into productive and lovely gardens.

If the slope in your yard is long or steep, the best solution is walls and terraces. This will give you several divided beds along the slope to use as you please. It will look like large steps going down the slope. These beds can be used for flowers, a vegetable garden, herbs, or even small trees. It is even possible to use a combination of these types of plantings to bring a unique look to your yard.

There are several ways to build these walls on your slope. Using wood is the easiest. Use cut lumber or even cut logs set vertically for an interesting visual effect. It is also possible to use cement or bricks to get a stronger wall. To be able to withstand the large amount of pressure that comes from the earth behind them, the walls be slanted slightly inward. This will keep them from bulging if there is too much pressure.

It is also possible to make steps down the middle of the beds. They should be built less steep than you would in a building. They should be as wide as the walk leading to them. The steps can be as simple as railroad ties with a bit of mulch between them. Materials that match the style of your house should be used. This will give you some extra division and it will make weeding, harvesting, and planting easier. It will also add visual interest to the slope planting beds.

To add more interest to the terrace beds on the slope you can use rocks or plants that will cascade over the edge of the bed. You can also get creative if you use wood and make designs with the timbers. Or, even carve pictures into the wood.

Be sure to plan for drainage. You do not want your beds to turn into ponds. The plants will not appreciate that much water. You can put small holes in the masonry near the bottom of the wall. Or lay drain tile behind the wall, horizontally along the bottom.

It will take a bit of work to get your slope terrace beds built, but it will be well worth the effort. And, you will have a new place to plant whatever you desire. Hopefully, these tips will get you well on your way to turning that naked slope into a beautiful garden spot.